Location: Harare Zimbabwe
Closing: 28/06/2016
Background
The Project Officer will be based in Harare working closely with UNDP and supporting its partners. S/he will report directly to the Programme Specialist – Dialogue and will be under the overall guidance of the UNDP Assistant Resident Representative (Governance and Gender Mainstreaming).
As per the Zimbabwe United Nations Assistance Development Framework (ZUNDAF) 2016-2020, public administration and governance are critical determinants and enablers of quality service delivery to the people, in order to realize the Zim Asset and the Sustainable Development Goals. Aligned with the ZUNDAF, UNDP’s work in Zimbabwe is guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2016-2020 through three pillars, which are (a) inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, (b) democratic governance, and (c) climate change and resilience.
As articulated in the UNDP Zimbabwe Governance Strategy (2016-2020), the Democratic Governance pillar covers three main interrelated programmatic areas, as follow: (1) access to justice and protection of fundamental rights; (2) strengthening and consolidating the national peace architecture; and (3) enhancing civic participation in key democratic processes. In this regard, The 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe provides a viable entry point for consolidating democratic dividends, including the promotion and protection of rights, as well as the enhancement of citizen participation in national decision-making and development processes. It forms the basis for UNDP’s support towards consolidating democratic governance in the country, and upon which programme support frameworks are developed.
With this background in mind, and as part of consolidating governance gains, the Government with support from UNDP has designed a three years’ programme to deepen the Foundations for Peace, Dialogue and Social Cohesion in Zimbabwe (2016-2018). The programme seeks to deepen the foundations for peace and social cohesion by enhancing national and community dispute resolution capacities and providing dialogue platforms for consensus and confidence building around potentially divisive national issues (and processes), fostering tolerance and encouraging inclusiveness and collaboration in the delivery of development dividends to the people. Its overall objective is to reduce potential threats to national and community peace and social cohesion while improving capacities for timely and structured response to disputes before they escalate to violence. This intervention builds on and consolidates previous UNDP supported initiatives on dialogue and conflict prevention interventions.
The programme is a collaborative initiative with the Office of President and Cabinet as Implementing Partner and key Responsible Partners which include key government ministries, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), Church and Faith Based Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations in the Peacebuilding Field and Culture and Arts Sector Organizations. UNDP is therefore looking for a Project Officer at UNV Level, who can support partners in the implementation of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist – Dialogue, the national UN Volunteer will support the delivery of the Programme and be responsible for supporting coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting obligations of the project in consultation with partners and the UNDP Peacebuilding team. He/she will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Governance Unit and Project staff in assisting partners to achieve desired goals within the Annual Work Plans. Specifically, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Support the project planning, and monitoring processes in line with UNDP Quality Assurance standards
Support Implementing Partner and Responsible Parties in the preparation of Quarterly and Annual Work Plans, Budgets and M&E Plans, and other relevant project management;
Provide the partners with support in organizing and facilitating key learning, knowledge exchange and coordination meetings;
Facilitate communication and information relays between partners and UNDP Zimbabwe;
Support processes geared towards monitoring the implementation of Annual Work Plans and specific output deliverables;
Provide quality analysis and substantive inputs to the development and management of the project, in close cooperation with partners and UNDP.
2. Support the implementation of key project activities as per the project document
Assist partners in the planning and roll out of proposed activities (including preparation of Concept Notes, Agenda, writing of the minutes and reporting);
Track the implementation progress and performance of the project by ensuring proper planning, benchmarking and target setting;
Manage the accurate and timely narrative and financial obligations reporting of the Programme;
Track the mainstreaming of gender perspectives throughout the Programme ‘s implementation process;
3. Support knowledge sharing, information codification, and reporting obligations of the Programme.
Provide support to the project in gathering and sharing information on the implementation of the programme;
Assist in the compilation of data collection tools for the Programme progress reports;
In consultation with UNDP Peacebuilding Team and the Communication Unit, develop Project related articles and briefs;
Provide and identify best practices and lessons learned from the Programme ’s implementation.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder peace, dialogue processes, mediation, negotiation, dispute resolution;
Knowledge of a broad range of national and regional issues pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa;
National capacity building for dialogue, conflict prevention and transformation;
Strong analytical, communication and advocacy skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in social sciences with a specialization in peace studies, governance, international relations, human rights, political science, development studies.
Experience:
At least 3 years of relevant working experience;
Extensive experience in strategy and programme development, proficient analytical and writing skills, a high degree of political and cross-cultural sensitivity and in-depth experience of working in conflict environments;
Experience in enhancing women’s participation as stakeholders dialogue and reconciliation processes is also highly desirable;
Programming experience and knowledge will be desirable.
Language:
Proficiency in English, including knowledge of local languages will be a distinct advantage.
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